Heiko Zschiedrich (hikeman2017)
Candidate Master – The Quiet Storm of the 64 Squares
Once upon a chessboard, in the mysterious realm of 64 squares and endless strategies, emerged Heiko Zschiedrich, a player who embraces the title of Candidate Master bestowed by FIDE. Known in many circles by the alias hikeman2017, Heiko has made quite a mark with a blend of grit, tactical flair, and a penchant for drawing games out longer than a Netflix series binge.
Performance & Style
With a peak blitz rating soaring to 2383 and rapid peaks near 2368, Heiko’s game transcends formats, showing versatility from lightning-fast bullet games to thoughtful rapid duels. His blitz rating journey reads like a thrilling saga – climbing steadily, battling ups and downs, and proving that resilience is as important as raw skill. His longest winning streak hit an impressive 14 games, while he’s faced a painful but humbling longest losing streak of 11.
Playing style? Imagine a blend of patient fortress building with flashes of tactical fireworks. Heiko averages nearly 80 moves per game when winning—which shows his love for the long, grinding battles—and often squeezes victories out of endgames, with a fascinating comeback rate of nearly 87%! If the game looks lost, that's often when Heiko turns on his charm and pulls a rabbit out of his top hat.
Favorite Openings & Strategies
Heiko’s trusty openings repertoire includes favorites like the Alapin Sicilian Defense and the French Defense Tarrasch Closed, where he boasts a healthy win rate north of 50%. He’s equally comfortable maneuvering through the complexity of the Alekhine’s Defense Scandinavian Variation or surprising opponents with the Three Knights Opening. Whether pushing aggressively or holding solid ground, Heiko’s opening choices showcase a balanced approach that keeps his opponents guessing.
Psychological Edge & Quirks
With a tilt factor of 11 (which is surprisingly low given how intense his battles get), Heiko manages to keep his cool even when the chips are down. His best time to play is around 3 AM—perfect for nocturnal strategists who thrive while the rest of the world sleeps. And if you think he’s only serious, think again—his online handle hikeman2017 hints at a zen-like patience and a humble attitude towards the game.
Notable Games & Recent Highlights
Recently, on a chilly February day in 2025, Heiko clinched a swift victory in a Chess960 game by resignation, skillfully sacrificing the queen early and overwhelming his opponent in less than 7 moves. Prior to that, he achieved a rapid checkmate in a French Defense game, showcasing his deep understanding of complex pawn structures and tactical motifs. Of course, even the best face setbacks—March 2025 saw a couple of close losses where Heiko fought valiantly but had to tip the king. Yet, every loss is a lesson, and every win a celebrated chapter in his ongoing chess saga.
Summary
Heiko Zschiedrich is not just a player; he’s a journey of perseverance, tactical curiosity, and a touch of humor in the game of kings. Whether racking up wins in blitz marathons or carefully outplaying opponents in rapid formats, Heiko embodies the passionate spirit of a Candidate Master always striving for the next big breakthrough. Beware the quiet ones—they just might hold the deadliest forks.